Panthers 14-16 Buccaneers, Bucs keep playoff hopes alive, summary: score, stats, highlights | NFL Week 18

Bucs edge Panthers in rainy thriller

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kept their postseason hopes alive with a tense 16–14 win over the Carolina Panthers in a rain-soaked Week 18 finale at Raymond James Stadium.

Tampa Bay jumped out early, scoring on their opening drive when Baker Mayfield hit tight end Cade Otton for a 10-yard touchdown. Kicker Chase McLaughlin added a 29-yard field goal late in the first quarter to make it 10–0. Carolina answered in the second quarter after a Mayfield interception set up Bryce Young's eight-yard touchdown pass to Tommy Tremble, trimming the lead to 10–7. McLaughlin closed the half with a 36-yard field goal, sending the Bucs into halftime up 13–7.

After a scoreless third quarter, Tampa Bay extended the lead early in the fourth with McLaughlin's 48-yard field goal to go up 16–7. The Panthers responded late, with Young finding Jalen Coker for an eight-yard touchdown with 2:27 remaining to pull within two. Carolina had one final chance, but a desperate lateral play on the final snap resulted in a fumble, sealing the win for Tampa Bay.

Mayfield finished 16-of-22 for 203 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while Otton led all receivers with seven catches for 94 yards. Running back Bucky Irving carried the load on the ground, rushing 26 times for 85 yards as Tampa leaned on the run to close out the game. McLaughlin accounted for 10 of the Bucs’ 16 points, going 3-for-4 on field goals.

For Carolina, Young threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns but was intercepted once. Coker (six catches, 47 yards, 1 TD) and Tetairoa McMillan (85 receiving yards) led the Panthers’ passing attack.

With the win, the Buccaneers improve to 8–9 and keep their playoff hopes alive. Tampa Bay will clinch the NFC South and a postseason berth if the Atlanta Falcons lose to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. The Panthers fall to 8-9 and will clench with a Saints loss.

Last-ditch effort fails for Carolina

Young passed to Coker for 13 yards and he made the lateral pass to McMillan for 7, but he FUMBLED it to recover it by Buc' Morrison. And that ends the game, running out the clock.

The Buccaneers defeat the Panthers 16-14, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Tomorrow's game between the Saints and Falcons tomorrow will determine if they make it into the postseason, which they will with a Saints win.

Young pass deep from the end zone and into the arms of Coker for 18 yards - 1st down

Dixon punts to Panthes 3 and Tremayne gets no gain 

Bucs take second timeout

Delay of Game on Bucs - 5 yards, 4th and 9

Irving gains 2 yet again - 4th and 4

Bucs take first timeout

Irving gains another 2 - 3rd and 6

Panthers take final timeout

Irving runs it up for2 yards - 2nd and 8

TWO-MINUTE WARNING

It's a 2-point game with 2 minutes left as the Panthers trail the Bucs just so. The Buccaneers have the ball themselves at '1st down at the Panthers 45.

Mayfield pass caught by Otton and he gains even more for a total of 20 yards - 1st down at the Panthers 45

Panthers take second timeout

Irving gains another 3 - 3rd and 5

Panthers take first timeout

Irving gains 3 - 2nd and 7

Fitzgerald kicks to the Bucs 7 and Tucker returned it 22 yards to the 29

Coker TD!

Young made the short pass to Coker for 8 yards and the touchdown to get within 3 points of the Bucs with 2:27 left in the game.

Young pass incomplete - 2nd and goal

Panthers go for it on 4th and 8 and Young makes a deep pass and it is CAUGHT by McMillan for 40YARDS! 1st down at the Bucs 8

Young pass complete to Tremayne for 7 yards - 4th and 8

Young escapes sack, throws ball away under pressure - 3rd and 15

Young pass short to Dowdle, he loses 5 yards on a tackle by Vea - 2nd and 15

Young pass complete to Tremble for 17yards - 1st down

Young pass to Legette for 5 yards - 2nd and 5 to Panthers 33

McLaughlin's 38-yard field goal attempt was BLOCKED!!

After review, the call was REVERSED, say one of Otton's feet was out of bounds - incomplete pass, 4th and 5

Panthers challenging the ruling that Otton's feet were in bounds when he made the catch....

Mayfield escapes pressure TWICE and finally makes the pass to Otton for 4 yards - 4th and 1

Mayfield pass to Otton for 3 yards - 3rd and 5

White gains 7 yards - 2nd and 8

False Start on Bucs' Otton - 1st and 15

Mayfield pass to Otton caught for 12 yards - 1st down

White picks up 1 yard - 2nd and 9

Mayfield pass to Godwin caught for 8 yards - 1st down

Irving gains 3 - 2nd and 7

Mayfield pass CAUGHT by Johnson for 17yards - 1st down at the Panthers 47

Irving gains 4 - 2nd and 6

Dowdle FUMBLED the ball and BUCS' DavidRECOVERED it at the Bucs 29, where the Tampa Bay offense will take over.

Young pass caught by Legette for 12yards - 1st down at the 20

Young pass incomplete under pressure - 3rd and 5

Young pass complete to Legette for 5 yards - 2nd and 5

Young makes the short pass to Dowdle and he breaks through for a huge gain of 25 yards - 1st down at the Bucs 37

Young pass to Coker caught for 3 yards - 2nd and 7

McLaughlin kicks to the end zone - touchback to Panthers 35

To start the final quarter, the Bucs made it a two-possession game as McLaughlin made the 48-yard field goal with 14:12 to play in the game.

BUCCANEERS FIELD GOAL!

Mayfield scrambles for 3 yards - 4th and 5

Some controversial calls by officials in this game...

END THIRD QUARTER

That takes us to the end of the 3rd quarter. The Panthers trail by 6 as neither team has scored in the second half. With one quarter left to go, the Bucs have the ball at 3rd down and 8 at the Panthers 33.

Tucker gains 3 yards - 3rd and 8

Tucker tackled by Brown and Barnes for a loss of a yard - 2nd and 11

Mayfield escaped pressure, got the ball away to Otton and Panthers' Scott was called for PassInterference as his legs seemed to trip up Otton - 13 yards, 1st down

Irving takes it again for a gain of 1 - 1st down

Irving gains 6, then 2 - 3rd and 2

Irving gains 3 for the 1st down

Mayfield pass to Egbuka caught for 8 yards - 2nd and 2

Martin punts to Bucs 31 and Johnson makes the fair catch

Young pass incomplete - 4th and 12

Young pass deep to McMillan caught for 31 YARDS, but they are called for PassInterference! It's called back and now instead of that huge gain, the Panthers are at 3rd and 12

Hubbard takes it again, gains just 3 - 3rd and 2

Hubbard takes it up 5 yards - 2nd and 5

Young pass caught by Tremble and he moves for a gain of 13 - 1st down

Young pass incomplete to Hubbard, but an Illegal Contact call on Bucs' David gives them 5 yards and the automatic 1st down

Hubbard tackled by Diaby for a loss of a yard - 2nd and 11

Dixon punts to Panthers 7 and Etienne makes the fair catcn

Delay of Game on Bucs - 5 yards

Mayfield pass to Otton complete for 8 yards - 4th and 2

Mayfield SACKED by Moehrig for a loss of 4 yards - 3rd and 10

Irving gains 4 yards - 2nd and 6

The Bucs will take over at their own 36

Panthers miss field goal

Fitzgerald's 54-yard field goal attempt is NO GOOD!

Young pass caught by Hubbard but he;s stopped by David after 5 yards - 4th and 12 

Young pass incomplete to Evans - 3rd and 16

Young backward pass to Dowdle is ruled incomplete, but officials call it backwards pass out of bounds, loss of 6 yards - 2nd and 16

Young scrambles and makes the pass to McMillan for 19 yards - 1st down at the Bucs 34

Young escapes pressure by Roberts, throws the ball away - 2nd and 10

Panthers go for it and Hubbard pushes through for 3 yards - 1st down

Young pass caught by Coker but he gets just a yard, short of the first - 4th and 1

Young pass to Coker for another 4 - 3rd and 2

Dowdle gains 4 - 2nd and 6

And we're back!

McLaughlin kicks to the end zone - touchback to the Panthers 35

HALFTIME

That takes us to the end of the first half. The Buccaneers lead the Panthers 13-7 as the Carolina defense has been struggling. Both teams have been slipping and sliding on the rainy field. Both Bryce Young and Baker Mayfield have thrown interceptions in the first half. The Panthers will get the ball on offense to start the second half. 

Young takes the knee to end the half

McLaughlin kicks to end zone - touchback to Panthers 35

McLaughlin makes the 36-yard field goal with 2 seconds left in the half to put the Bucs up by 6 going into halftime. 

Panthers' Defensive Too Many Men on Field, declined

BUCCANEERS FIELD GOAL!

Irving gains 2 - 2nd and 8 at the Panthers 18

Bucs take second timeout

Irving gains 5 - 1st down

Buccaneers take first timeout

Irving gains 7 yards - 2nd and 3

Panthers take first timeout

Mayfield juked several defenders, stopping and starting, and got away to throw the ball to Otton for an eventual gain of 22yards! 

Tucker taken down by Moehrig for a loss of 2 - 3rd and 5

Irving gains 7 yards - 2nd and 3

Parrish with the interception on Young!

Young pass INTERCEPTED by Parrish at the Bucs 42!

Young pass incomplete - 3rd and 6

TWO-MINUTE WARNING

With 2 minutes left in the first half, the Panthers trail by 3. They have the ball at the Bucs 49 at 2nd and 6, hoping to score again before halftime.

Dowdle picks up 4 - 2nd and 6

Young pass to Horn CAUGHT for 15 yards - 1st down 

Young under pressure gets the ball away and it's caught by McMillan for 14 yards - 1st down

Dowdle tackled by Hall after a yard - 2nd and 9

Dixon punts to the Panthers 12 Etienne too it to the 17

White gained 5 - 4th and 10 and Bucs forced to punt

Panthers' Brown was injured on the previous play

Mayfield FUMBLED the ball before he could make the pass, slipped out of his hands and recovered it at the 35 - 3rd and 15

Tucker taken down by Mayfield? He was tripped up on the handoff and lost 4 yards - 2nd and 14

Mayfield scrambles and slides for 11 yards and the 1st down 

Mayfield pass to Irving for 7 yards - 3rd and 3

Irving taken down by Umanmielen and Brown for no gain - 2nd and 10

Mayfield screen pass to White is caught for 11yards and the 1st down

Irving gains 4 to make up for what was lost - 3rd and 10

Irving tackled by Umanmielen for a loss of 4 yards - 2nd and 14

Fitzgerald kicked to the Bucs 4 and Tucker returned it to the 22 but FUMBLED it. He recovered it at the 26.

However, a penalty on Bucs' Hayes - Illegal Block Above the Waist - set them back another 10 yards to the 15

Tremble TD put Panthers on the board!

Rozeboom with the interception on Mayfield!

Mayfield threw an interception caught by Rozeboom who took it deep into Bucs territory to set up a score. The Panthers maximized on the opportunity and it was Young's 8-yard pass to Tremble that gave them the touchdown. Fitzgerald's PAT was good and Carolina is back in the game with 10:50 to go in the first half.

Hubbard gets nowhere - 2nd and goal

Young pass to McMillan for 11 yards - 1st and goal at the  Bucs 8

Matfield pass INTERCEPTED by Rozeboom and he takes it back 21 yards to the Bucs 19

Mayfield pass incomplete under pressure - 3rd and 7

White gains 3 - 2nd and 7

Mayfield pass caught by McMillan for 11 yards - 1st down

Rain is really coming down and clearly affecting everyone on both teams

Mayfield pass incomplete to Irving - 3rd and 7

Irving gains 3 - 2nd and 7

Martin punts to Bucs 6, downed by Evans

Delay of Game on Panthers

Panthers going for it on 4th and 8? Just trying to draw the Bucs offsides, but...

Young pass incomplete to McMillan - 4th and 8

END FIRST QUARTER

That takes us to the end of the first quarter!

So far, Carolina hasn't been able to get anything going on offense. The Bucs scored a TD on the opening drive and a field goal on their next. The Panthers now have the ball at the Bucs 43 at 3rd and long.

Dowdle takes it but he's swallowed up by Diaby for a gain of just 2 yards - 3rd and 8

Young pass caught by Evans and he gains 5 - 2nd and 10

False Start on Panthers' Lewis - 5 yards, 1st and 15 

Young pass caught by Tremayne for 20 YARDS - 1st down at the Bucs 45

McLaughlin kicks to the end zone - touchback to the Panthers 35

The Panthers make the red zone stop, but the Bucs were able to get the field goal, a 29-yarder by McLaughlin to make it a two-possession game with just under 2 minutes left in the 1st quarter.

BUCCANEERS FIELD GOAL!

Mayfield escapes pressure but his pass is incomplete to Egbuka in the end zone - 4th and 8 at the 11

Irving tackled by Brown after just 2 yards - 3rd and 8

Mayfield pass to Durham in the end zone is incomplete, though he was wide open - 2nd and 10

Mayfield scrambles under pressure for 5 yards and the 1st down, but there's also a flag on the play

Unsportsmanlike Conduct (Taunting) on Panthers' Jackson - 13 yards

1st and 10 at the Panthers 13

Johnson carries it 5 yards - 2nd and 5

Mayfield pass caught by Irving and he breaks through tackles for a gain of 13yards - 1st down at the Panthers 39

White tackled after a yard - 2nd and 9

Pass Interference on Panthers' Smith, declined

Mayfield under pressure gets the ball away and into the arms of Evans for 21 yards - 1st down

Mayfield pass complete for Otton and Jackson tackles him immediately for a gain of 4 - 3rd and 4

White runs the ball 2 yards - 2nd and 8

Martin kicks to the Buccaneers' end zone - touchback to Bucs 20

Young pass deep to Legette, but it's incomplete in double coverage - 4th down and 10

Young pass complete to Hubbard, but he's tackled by Reddick and Winfield for a gain of just 2 - 3rd and 10

Dowdle took it again, but he slipped on the rainy, wet field for a loss of 1 yards, tackled by Dennis - 2nd and 12

Unnecessary Roughness on Bucs' Roberts - 15 yards, automatic 1st down

Panthers offense on the field

Dowdle carries the ball but he's stopped for no gain, and there's a flag on the play

McLaughlin kicks to the end zone - Touchback to Panthers 35

Otton with the first TD for the Bucs!

On their opening drive, the Bucs drove down the field with ease and Mayfield's pass to Otton in the end zone for 10 yards gave Tampa Bay their first score. McLaughlin's PAT was good, giving the Bucs an early lead over the Panthers with 9:31 left in the first quarter.

Mayfield pass caught by Otton for 10yards - 1st down at Panthers 18

Mayfield escapes and scrambles forward for a gain of 9 yards just short - 2nd and 1

Irving takes it yet again, and he powers forward for 4 yards and the 1st down at the Panthers 37

He takes it again to the left but gains just 2 - 3rd and 2

Irving gains 6 yards - 2nd and 4

Mayfield's pass is CAUGHT by Evans as he slides for 13yards and another 1st down

Irving takes it again and he's got 3 yards and the 1st down

Irving pushes through for a gain of 9 yards - 2nd and 1

We've already got an injured player on the field.

Buccaneers linebacker Anthony Walker is down.

Fitzgerald kicked to the Bucs 8 and Tucker returned it to the 26

Here we go!

Panthers won the toss and elected to defer and off we go!

Bucs DE's mom sang national anthem!

Buccaneers defensive end Elijah Roberts' mother, Shanda Roberts, sang the Star Spangled Banner ahead of the game!

Current NFC standings ahead of Week 18 games:

1. Seahawks (can move down to No. 5)

2. Bears (can move down to No. 3)

3. Eagles (can move up to No. 2)

4. Panthers or Buccaneers (winner will be locked into No. 4)

5. 49ers (can move up to No. 1 or down to No. 6)

6. Rams (can move up to No. 5)

7. Packers (locked into No.7)

Rookie watch

Who will the NFC South champ play in postseason?

Whichever team does end up winning the NFC South and the last NFC playoff spot will earn the No. 4 seed in the conference, which means they'll host the No. 5 seed in the first round of the playoffs.

Currently, it's the San Francisco 49ers  sitting at the fifth seed, but by the end of this weekend, that could change. The other options are the Seattle Seahakws or the Los Angeles Rams. 

Rainy day in Tampa

Mayfield's season went off the rails

The Buccaneers' season has unraveled after a strong start that once had them leading the NFC South and Baker Mayfield in MVP conversations. Tampa Bay opened 5–1 despite multiple injuries and ranked among the league’s most efficient offenses, but since Week 7 the team has collapsed, losing eight of its last 10 games and falling near the bottom of the NFL in key offensive metrics.

While injuries to Mayfield, Tristan Wirfs, Mike Evans, and Bucky Irving have played a role, the larger issue has been a breakdown in trust across the offense. Mayfield has looked rushed and inaccurate, often bailing from clean pockets and disrupting timing in the passing game. His on-target throw rate has dropped significantly, and miscommunication among receivers has led to blown routes and crowded passing lanes.

The offense has also struggled schematically. Questionable play design, poor run-game execution under new coordinator Josh Grizzard, and overreliance on Mayfield’s toughness have compounded the problems. Instead of leaning on easier throws and healthier skill players, Tampa has often forced the issue.

Can Bryce Young show up?

Panthers QB Bryce Young has shown real growth in 2025, leading multiple late-game comebacks and displaying poise under pressure. But his performances have been inconsistent in recent weeks, mirroring the Panthers' results. He played well in the Week 16 win over Tampa Bay, and a banged-up Bucs defense could give him another opportunity to attack downfield. The Panthers’ chances hinge on Young bouncing back from a rough outing and finding rhythm early.

Bucs-Panthers Injury Report/INACTIVES for Week 18

Buccaneers Injury Report

The Bucs get a significant boost on defense with the return of defensive lineman DL Calijah Kancey, who was activated off injured reserve and will play for the first time since Week 2. Kancey missed 14 games with a pectoral injury but has been one of the Bucs' most disruptive interior pass rushers when healthy. On offense, LT Tristan Wirfs is back after sitting out last week with a turf toe injury, shoring up a line that struggled in his absence. However, Tampa Bay will be without two key defensive contributors, as CB Jamel Dean (shoulder) and OLB Anthony Nelson (knee) are both unavailable.

Buccaneers INACTIVES

QB Connor Bazelak (Emergency third QB)

WR Sterling Shepard

OG Elijah Klein

DL Elijah Simmons

OLB Anthony Nelson

CB Jamel Dean

Panthers Injury Report

Carolina enters the matchup shorthanded up front and at linebacker. DT Tershawn Wharton remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while ILB Claudin Cherelus, who had recently stepped into a starting role, is out with calf and ankle issues. The Panthers also remain without RG Robert Hunt (biceps) and WR David Moore (elbow), both of whom are still on injured reserve. To help offset those losses, Carolina elevated LB Jacoby Windmon and CB David Long Jr. from the practice squad, with Krys Barnes expected to take on a larger role at linebacker.

Panthers INACTIVES

WR Hunter Renfrow

DT Tershawn Wharton

DT Jared Harrison-Hunte

LB Claudin Cherelus

CB Robert Rochell

S D’Anthony Bell

S Demani Richardson

The Bucs' late-season collapse

The Panthers are in position for a playoff berth largely because Tampa Bay has unraveled to end the season. The Buccaneers have lost seven of their last eight games and are dealing with significant injuries across both sides of the ball.

Once viewed as legitimate contenders, the Bucs' offense has faltered, their defense has slipped, and questions surround the team’s direction under Todd Bowles. The Panthers now have a chance to capitalize and officially end the Bucs’ run atop the division.

Panthers turning point?

This game could mark a turning point for the the NFC South. A Panthers win or tie would clinch their first NFC South title since 2015 and their first playoff appearance since 2017, ending the longest postseason droughts in franchise history. It would also snap Tampa Bay's four-year run as division champion.

What the Panthers and Bucs need to clinch the postseason

The Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers meet in Week 18 with the NFC Southtitle largely on the line, though the outcome won't be fully decided Saturday unless the Panthers win.

If the Panthers beat the Buccaneers in Tampa, they clinch the division outright and eliminate Tampa Bay from playoff contention. Carolina has been in first place since defeating the Bucs two weeks ago on a late game-winning field goal.

If Tampa Bay wins, the division race extends to Sunday and depends on the Atlanta Falcons’ game against the New Orleans Saints. A Falcons loss would give the Buccaneers the NFC South title via the common-games tiebreaker in a two-team tie with Carolina. However, if Atlanta wins, the Panthers would claim the division in a three-team tie thanks to their superior head-to-head record against both Tampa Bay and Atlanta.

In short: a Panthers win ends the race immediately, while a Buccaneers win shifts the final decision to Sunday’s Falcons–Saints matchup.

Good afternoon and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the season finale between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers!

Everything is on the line today as the winner of this game could not only earn the division title, but also the last spot in the NFC Wild Card race. Kickoff is at 4:25 p.m. ET from Raymond James Stadium and we'll be here bringing you all the latest updates, scores, highlights, and commentary throughout the game and up to the final whistle!